McGee was named the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach of the Razorbacks prior to the 2010 season and helped lead them to a 10–3 record and an appearance in the 2011 Sugar Bowl. Arkansas' offense finished 8th in the nation, averaging 489 yards per game. The Razorbacks were also fourth in passing offense and 14th in scoring offense (37.3 ppg).

On January 13, 2011, media outlets reported that McGee was offered the job to take over the University of Tulsa's Golden Hurricane football team from the departing Todd Graham, who left the head coaching position to take over the program at the University of Pittsburgh.[3] McGee withdrew his name from the search the following day.[4]

On December 3, 2011, numerous media outlets reported McGee would become the next coach of the UAB Blazers and fourth head coach in school history, replacing Neil Callaway. On December 4, 2011, UAB officials officially announced they hired McGee to serve as the fourth head coach in the history of the program.[5] McGee was officially introduced as the new head coach at a press conference on December 5, 2011. McGee's two-year tenure at UAB was an abysmal failure, as the Blazers compiled a 5-19 record over that span, culminating with a 62-27 defeat by the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, which had lost 23 games in a row prior.